Ampoule cutter



Oct. 20, 1953 E. F. WENNER AMPOULE CUTTER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 20, 1950 Patented Oct. 20, 1953 AMPOULE CUTTER Edward F. Wenner, Columbus, Ohio, assignor to H. R. Stallbohm, Lima, Ohio Application April 20, 1950, Serial No. 157,017

Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for removing a neck from a glass vessel, and more particularly to a cutter for opening an ampoule of the type which is hermetically sealed to hold a solution for hypodermic injection or the like. In general, the invention comprises a small, light weight container having means to receive and hold an ampoule with the neck thereof in a raised position, so that when the neck is removed .the liquid level will be below the breaking point.

A cutting element in the form of a scribe is provided for scoring the neck of the ampoule. There is also provided a hammer for snapping off the neck of the ampoule after the neck has been scored. A tape of absorbent material is used, in conjunction with a supply of disinfectant, to provide for cleaning the surface of the neck in the area where the break is to be made to prevent contamination of the ampoule contents.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide the cutter with a lower supporting member formed with a recessed surface to receive the shoulder of the ampoule and with a V type of knife edge surface to receive the neck of the ampoule. The shoulder and neck receiving surfaces are adapted to hold the ampoule with the neck projecting over the edge of the supporting memher, and with the neck raised at an angle which provides for maintaining the liquid level below the point at which the neck is removed. Thus, when the neck is cut off the liquid does not spill from the ampoule.

Another object of the invention is to provide a slidably mounted member formed to engage the shoulder portion to hold the ampoule on the lower supporting member and with the neck held in a raised position. This member is maintained under spring tension so that it can adjust freely to compensate for any irregularities in the body formation of the ampoule. A finger operated lever is provided to control the movement of this member.

It is also an object to provide a cutting element in the form of a scribe for scoring the neck of the ampoule. This element has a spring mounting which provides for adjusting the element freely to compensate for any irregularities in the glass or neck of the ampoule. In the preferred construction this cutting element is carried by the slidably mounted shoulder engaging member. When the ampoule is mounted in position on the lower supporting member, the scribe line caused by rotating the ampoule neck in contact with the cutting element coincides i. e. lies in the same vertical plane with the knife edge ,supporting the neck. This construction faciliilzates snapping the neck off clearly as described ater.

An additional object is to provide a resilient holding means for gripping the neck of the am- ,poule when the ampoule is mounted in position on the lower supporting member. In the preferred form this holding means comprises a pair of rubber flaps positioned one on each side so as to extend along the sides of the neck when the ampoule is mounted for cutting. It has been found that this additional holding means on the neck tends to provide a cleaner break when the neck is struck by the hammer.

It is another object of the invention to provide a hammer for snapping off the neck of the ampoule after the neck has been scored. The ham- .mer mechanism includes a spring means for applying the striking force to the hammer, a trip 0 mechanism for releasing the hammer with a vsnap action, and a spring means for returning .the hammer to the raised or striking position. g It is an additional object to provide means for supplying a disinfectant to clean the surface of the neck of the ampoule adjacent the area where the cut is made. In the preferred construction a ,tape of absorbent material extends across the top .of the lower supporting member for this purpose. A pump is provided to supply the disinfectant to the tape as required. Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings, in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated,

Fig. 1 is a front elevational View of the case; Fig. 2 is a rear, vertical sectional view through the case showing the ampoule supports, cutting element, and hammer in the raised or striking position and in elevation and as seen from the rear in Fig. 1; i Fig. 3 is a side, vertical sectional view through the case as seen from the left side in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a rear elevational view showing the hammer in the down position i. e. after striking the neck of the ampoule to remove the same;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view through 1 the lower supporting member and taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 and taken on the line 66 of Fig. 4; and Fig. '7 is a rear elevational view, partly in vertical section, of the upper engaging member.

Referring further to the drawings, the case It of Fig. 1 supports the frame I I. In the preferred construction, the case I is formed of plastic material and the frame I I of metal. An opening is provided in the face or front of the case to receive the frame as shown in Fig. l. Screws l6 extend through the front of the case and into shoulders on each side of the frame for securing the latter inrposition.

The lower ampoule supporting member 20, Fig. 6, is formed as an integral part of the frame.

This supporting member is provided with a semicircular, upwardly sloping and recessed surface area 2! formed to receive the shoulderportion 22 of the ampoule 23, Fig. 3. The surface 21 terminates along its upper edge in a. knife edge formed with a V notch 25 therein. This notch provides for receiving and holding the nec'kportion 26 of the ampoule. As seen more clearly in Fig. 3, the notch 25 is above the shoulder portion 2 l-sothat when the ampoule is mounted on member 26 the neck is rais'ed at an'angle of; approxh. mately 30 degrees from" horizontal: Thus, when the neck is removedthe liquid level in thearripoule is maintained below the point atwhich'the neck is cut away and spilling is'avoi'ded.

The ampoule is held on the supporting member with the engaging member 36. This upper member is'in thej'form of'a" slidably mounted gate having its lower edge provided with a semi"- circular-and recessed surface area3l adapted to fit around the "shoulder, 22 of the ampoule as shownin Fig. 3. This surface 3 is tapered upwardly and smoothly curved to conform to the rounded shoulder portion of the ampoule, and extends from the front edge of member 36'. to substantially the mid point of member 2e as viewed in Fig. 3. Asimilarly curved and formed surface 32 extends from the lower t'erminating edge of surface-3f upwardly to the back edge of member 30, as shown in Figs. 3 and 5. Surface 32 is formed to engage around the neck portion of the ampoule. 'It will be understood by those skilledin. this art that the radius of curvatures, slope, and shape of the surfaces 31 and 32 are such as to provide for engaging and holding different sizes of ampoules -In-the preferred construction the surface H is approximately of an inch across its greatest horizontal width, its greatest v'erticalfheight'is about Ti of, an inch and its greatest "slopfe length about of an'inchf Surface 3[' is'iormed to provide an opening with a rolled edge having a maximum inside width across the "opening of about% of an inch and a maximum'outside width of about of an inch. Surface '32 has a maximum horizontal width-of about fof an inch and-a vertical height of about A; of an inch. With these approximate dimensions ampoules varying in size from -1 tol20 do. can be received.

Member is slidably mounted between the guide members 3'! and 38, Fig; 5,which are formed as an integral part of, frame H The shouldertfi, Fig; 3,limits' the upward travel of member 30 when it engages the edges 40 ofthe case I0. As shown in Fig. 7, an arm 42 extends downwardly from the side of member 30; This arm is'adapted to engage one'end of the pivotally mounted lever Q3. The other end of lever .43 in turn engages the lower end of the slidably mounted lever 44. Lever 44 travels in the guide way 45, Fig. 5, formed in the frame I i. Bracket 46 holds lever M in place. 'A push button 48 is provided for finger operation'of lever '44. When button dais fdepressedylever 44 moves lever 43 to the dotted line position shownin' Fig. 2. This movement causes arm 42 to be raised together with member 30. A bore 59, Fig. '7, provided in the top of member 30 forms a seat for a coil spring 50 which abuts against the top of frame ll. Spring 51} maintains member 36 under tension at all times. With member 36 in a raised position an ampoule can be inserted as shown in Fig.3. Then when the operator releases button qa's-pring' 50; forces member 36 down and into engagement with surface 3| fitting around the shoulder of the ampoule.

A cutting element 55 is provided for scoring theglass neck of the ampoule. In the preferred construction this cutting element is a diamond chip mounted ina holder 56, Fig, 7. The holder 56 is slidably mounted within a central passage 51 extending-upwardly through member 30. The upper end of the holder is formed with a head which engages one end; of the coil spring 59 carried in passage 51. A screw 69 closes the upper end of passage 5]. Spring '59 maintains the holder under tension at all times. The holder is thus free to adjust; i. e raise or lower, to compensate for any irregularity in the neck of the ampoule in the same manner as member 36 is free to. adjust, i. e. raise or lower, to compensate for any 'irregularitydm the shoulder portion of the ampoule. Holder 5 5 is aligned directly over the V notch 2501? member 20. Thus, when the ampoule'is mounted; as shown in Fig. 3, the operator can rotate theampoule with his fingers and. the cutter 55 causes an annular score line to be formed around" the neck. This score line coincides withthe knife edge of notch 25, which facilitates removing the neck with a clean, sharp break as hereafter described.

Resilient holding meansare provided to grip the neck portion of the ampoule which projects beyond the'notch 2 5, as seen in Fig. 3. In the preferred form this holding means comprises a pair of rubber flaps 55 and 6 6. Flap tbfis held along one side by being crimped under the turned down edge 6T forming part of bracket d3. Flap 63 is similarly mounted, being crimpedunder the turned down 'edgets; of" bracket 59. These flaps 'form a gripping means extending along the projecting neck portion -off'the ampoule beyond the neck area'which is scored. In operation it has loeerr'found that the'cutter works satisfactorily without using'the flaps 65 mass; how'- ever, a cleaner break or cut of the neckis obtained when the flaps are used.

A hammer i5 is provided to snap oh? the neck of the ampoule after the neck has been scored. The hammer is operated with a trip mechanism whichprovides the snap action of the hammer for breaking 011 the neck} Hammer it comprises an arm pivotally'mounted to-irame I} with the screw (6. The hammer can swing from the raised position, shown in ZQ-to the lowered position, shown in Fig.4. In swinging through this are the hammer strikes the extended neck portion oi th'e'jampoule, whichhas bfe'eri'scored as previously described, and the blow of the hammer cracks theneck off-cleanly. In order to obtain a'clean, sharp break it is necessaryfor the hammer to'swing with a-snap action. To obtain this snap action the hammeris provided with a'shoulder element 17: A detent'18; is pivotally mounted to the'frame ll'with'screw 79. "I'he'wire'spring 80, one endof which is anchoredto the pin 8! projeet'ing from the frame, provides "for holding the detent normally in' the position shown in Fig. 2; Inthis positiorlthedoWr end 82 of the detent aligns with shoulder 11 and prevents the hammer from swinging downwardly.

The detent I8 is tripped, i. e. moved to the position shown in Fig. 4, so that the shoulder 11 can swing freely past the end 82 and allow the hammer to swing downwardly, by operating the lever 85. This lever slides in the guide way 38, Fig. 5, and is held therein by the bracket 69. A push button 81 facilitates depressing lever 85 until the pin 88, carried on the lever, strikes the inner end of the detent and moves it to the position shown in Fig. 4.

A coil spring 9| has one end thereof fastened to a pin on the lower end of lever 85 and the other end to the hammer I5. Thus when the lever 85 is depressed spring 9| is stretched and pulls downwardly on the hammer. However, the sammer cannot swing downwardly because of the engagement of shoulders II with the end 82 of the detent. In this way a considerable force is made available for the striking action. This force is released when the downward movement of lever 85 brings pin 88 into contact with the detent. A second coil spring 93, having one end fastened to the lower end of lever 85 and the other end to the top of bracket 69, provides for raising lever 85, and for moving spring 92 upwardly to return the hammer to the raised position. After the detent 18 has been tripped, spring 89 causes it to return to its normal position, i. e. as shown in Fig. 2.

Means are provided for supplying a disinfectant, for example alcohol, to wash the neck of the ampoule where the cut is to be made to prevent contamination of the ampoule contents. A container 91 is mounted in the case for the disinfectant. A finger operated pump mechanism, indicated generally at 98, is provided with a push button 99 which extends above the top of the case as seen in Fig. 3. A port Inn, in the top of the case, is connected by the tube IM to the top of container 91 and provides for replenishing the supply of disinfectant whenever necessary. A flexible tube I82 extends from the pump outlet and connects with the perforated spray pipe I83 fastened to the back of member 29, Fig. 2. A roll of cloth tape I95 is carried on the reel I85. The free end of the tape extends across the top of member 29 and notch and down under the clip IG'I on bar I88, Fig. 1, fastened to the front of the case. By pulling on the free end, the tape a can be unrolled to provide a clean area over the notch 25 as desired. In operation the pump provides for spraying the disinfectant out of the pipe I03 and onto the tape covering notch 25. Then, since the neck of the ampoule is held in notch 25 and on the tape by member 39, rotation of the ampoule to score the neck also causes the neck to be wiped by the alcohol soaked tape.

To operate the cutter it is only necessary to push down on button 48 which causes member 39 to be moved, i. e. raised relative to the lower supporting member 29. The ampoule can then be inserted as shown in Fig. 3. When button 48 is released spring 59 causes member to slide down until the surface 3| engages around the shoulder of the ampoule. The ampoule is then held with the shoulder supported between the surfaces 2i and 3i, and with the neck supported in the V notch 25. The operator then slowly rotates the ampoule so that the cutter scores the neck. This rotation of the ampoule also causes the neck to be wiped clean by the tape I85 which is in contact therewith. Following this operation button 81 is depressed to move lever 85. Movement of lever 85 causes spring 9! to be expanded to apply tension to the hammer, and then 'releases the detent I9 which allows the hammer to strike with a snap action. The hammer blow snaps the neck off cleanly at the score line.

From the above description it will be apparent that the apparatus provided operates to accomplish the objects set forth. However, it is to be understood that the form shown and described is a preferred embodiment of the invention only.

The invention is not limited to this precise form "of apparatus, and changes can be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

I claim: 1. An ampoule cutter comprising a stationary supporting member for the ampoule; an engaging member adapted to hold the ampoule on said supporting member, with the neck of the ampoule held stationary and projecting over the edge of the supporting member, and with the neck raised at an angle which provides for maintaining the liquid level in the ampoule below the point at which the neck is cut off; a cutting element for scoring the neck of the ampoule; and a hammer including means for swinging the hammer with 'a snap action against the stationary neck for engage the neck of the ampoule while the latter is held on the supporting member; a cutting element for scoring the neck of the ampoule: and a hammer for snapping off the neck of the ampoule after the neck has been scored.

3. An ampoule cutter comprising a supporting member for the ampoule having a recessed surface formed therein which engages one side of :the ampoule at the shoulder portion thereof; a slide member having a recessed area adapted to engage said shoulder portion of the ampoule on the other side thereof and hold the ampoule on the supporting member with the neck portion of the ampoule raised at an angle; means for raising and lowering the slide member relative to the supporting member; a cutting element for scoring the neck portion of the ampoule; and a trip hammer mechanism for cracking off the neck of the ampoule after the neck has been scored.

4. An ampoule cutter comprising a supporting member for the ampoule having a V-notched knife edge for engaging the neck of the ampoule and formed with a recessed surface which engages one side of the ampoule at the shoulder portion thereof; a slide member formed with a recessed surface adapted to engage the other side of the shoulder of the ampoule and hold the ampoule on the supporting member with the neck on the knife edge and at an angle which prevents spilling the contents of the ampoule when the neck is removed; means for raising and lowering the slide member relative to the supporting member; a cutting element positioned to score the neck in the area engaging the knife edge; and a hammer for snapping off the neck of the ampoule after the neck has been scored.

5. An ampoule cutter for ampoules formed with a shoulder and neck portion comprising a frame including a lower supporting member for the ampoule having a shoulder receiving portion and a neck receiving portion; said shoulder and neck receiving portions supporting the ampoule with the neck thereof held in a raised position which :pre'vents the contents of the ampoule from spilling when the neck is removed; an upper member slidabl-y mounted on the-frame and including engaging means for holding the ampoule with the shoulder "of the'ampoule in the shoulder receiving portion and the neck in the neck receiving portion of the lower supporting member, said upper member having a spring mounted to provide for keeping the upper member under tension whereby the upper member can adjust to compensate for anyirregularities in the shoulder or neck of the ampoule; a cutting element for scoring the neck of the ampoule carried by said upper member; and a hammer having a trip mechanism providing a snap action of the hammer for cracking off the neck of the ampoule after the neck has been scored.

6." An ampoule cutter for ampoules formed with a shoulder and neck portions comprising a supporting member for holding the ampoule in a stationary position and with the neck thereof raised above the shoulder; a slidably mounted member adapted to be moved into a position to engage and hold the ampoule on said supporting member; spring means for controlling the movement of said slidably mounted member; a lever for moving the slidably mounted member; a cutting element carried in said slidably mounted member for scoring the neck of the ampoule which includes means for adjusting the position of the cutting element relative to the neck of the ampoule; and a hammer for snapping off the neck of the ampoule after the neck has been scored ineluding spr ng me n for applyin ten ion to the hammer and a trip mechanism for releasing the hammer with a snap action.

7. An ampoule cutter comprising a supporting member tor the ampoule; a slidably mounted mem r ad t en age and hold the ampoule on said supporting member; spring means for controlling the movement of said slidably mount ed member; a lever for moving the slidably mounted member; a cutting element for scoring the n ck of th p e incl ding pr me ns for adjusting the POSition of the cutting element relative to the neck of the ampoule; a hammer for snapping ofi the neck of the ampoule after the neck has been scored; and means for operat ing the hammer including a spring for supply ing thezstriki g force-to the hammer, a trip mechanism for hold ng the hammer in a raised position While under spring tension, and a lever for releasing the trip mechanism whereby said spring moves the hammer with a snap action.

8.. An ampoule cutter comprising a supporting member for the ampoule; means for applying a disinfectant to the neck or the ampoule; an engaging member formed to hold the ampoule on aid u o t ng me a c ttin element o scoring the neck of the ampoule; and a hammer for snapping off the neck of the ampoule after the neck has been scored.

9. An ampoule cutter cOmprising a supporting member for the ampoule; a tape Of material adapted to receive a disinfectant and extendin across the top of said supporting member; an n a ing member ad p d o ho the po e on said supporting member and with the neck of the ampoule in contact with the tape; a cutting element for scoring the neck of the ampoule; and a hammer for snapping on the neck of the ampoule after the neck has been scored.

10. An ampoule cutter comprising a supporting member for the ampoule; a tape of material.

adapted to receive a disinfectant and extending across the top of said supDQrting member; means for supplying disinfectant to said tape; an engaging member adapted to hold the ampoule on said supporting member and With the neck of the ampoule in contact with the tape; a cutting element for scoring the neck of the ampoule; and a hammer for snapping ofi the neck of the ampoule after the neck has been scored.

EDWARD F. WENNER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

